Old Reliables: The Platinum Preppy and Plaisir?

Of the “Big Three” Japanese pen companies: Pilot, Sailor, and Platinum, the latter traditionally gets the least amount of attention outside of Japan. Thing have changed somewhat in recent years, as Platinum has started to explore the limited edition market with its excellent line of 3776 Century pens, and its sister brand, Nakaya, has developed a stellar reputation among high-end collectors of pens featuring urushi, makie, and other forms of traditional Japanese artistry.

What tends to get lost in the shuffle is that of the “Big Three,” Platinum probably makes the widest array of low-cost pens. Two models, the Preppy and the Plaisir, regularly find their way onto various “Best First Fountain Pen” lists, and for good reason. Starting at $3.95, the Preppy can be as cheap as some disposable fountain pens, yet can be refilled with (proprietary) Platinum cartridges OR it can be eyedroppered, provided you first add some silicon grease and/or an o-ring to the barrel threads. Eyedroppering a Platinum Preppy is an excellent way to use “high-maintenance” inks that might damage or stain nicer pens, and the highlighter version of the Preppy can be used with Noodler’s Highlighter Inks.

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A .3mm stainless steel nib on the Plaisir (left) and a .5mm stainless steel nib on the Preppy (right). Both nibs wrote an extremely smooth line out of the box, using the stock Platinum ink cartridge that came with the pen.

The Platinum Plaisir adds an upgraded body to the same nib, feed and section featured on the Preppy, made from anodized aluminum and available in a wide array of colors. The primary reasons to opt for the Plaisir over the Preppy would be aesthetics and durability - some of the color options on the Plaisir are quite nice, like the “Ice White” featured here, and the caps on Preppies tend to crack over time.

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The Platinum Preppy posts a bit longer than the Plaisir, but it’s also extremely light due to its plastic construction.

On the whole, however, both pens offer an exceptional writing experience at the price point. One quirk is that nib sizes on these pens are not labeled with the usual EF, F, M, B designations. Rather, they are numbered .2, .3, and .5.  For example, the Preppy featured here is labeled “.5”, as in .5mm, which equates to a medium, while the .3mm on the Plaisir is a fine. Platinum also makes a .2mm extra fine, which is a bit more difficult to source.

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I prefer the weight and balance of the Plaisir, but you can’t argue with the writing experience the Preppy offers for $3.95.

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The .3mm (fine) nib is my favorite. I’m not a fan of stock Platinum black ink, as it can have a washed-out appearance.

Takeaways and Where to Buy

I’ve neglected both the Preppy and the Plaisir in my own use, and that’s unfortunate, especially since I’ve grown to appreciate Platinum as a brand. These relatively inexpensive models offer an excellent writing experience at a bargain price. The Preppy in particular gives you a reliable refillable fountain pen at a price point similar to “disposable” pens like the Pilot Varsity. For just a bit more money, you can get the more professional looking Plaisir in a growing array of colors.

You can purchase either of these models from most major pen retailers in the U.S., including our friends at Vanness Pens (in the United States). [Update: As of August, 2022, you can purchase the limited edition Platinum Plaisir Aura, as well as other select Platinum products, directly from us via the T.G.S. Curated Shop. Thanks in advance for your support!]

Disclaimer: This post does not contain links to paid sponsors or affiliates. The Gentleman Stationer is supported entirely by purchases from the T.G.S. Curated Shop and pledges through the T.G.S. Patreon Program.

First Impressions: Syahi Monarch Fountain Pen

The Syahi Monarch was one of a handful of pens that came home with me from the 2018 D.C. Pen Show. Prior to the D.C. Pen Show, Sanay, one of the owners of Syahi India, reached out and requested that I stop by their table and pick up a pen to review. I finally managed to make it over there on Sunday afternoon during a lull in the insanity, and selected the Syahi Monarch in Striped Ebony with a fine steel “semi-flex” nib.

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The brushed brass trim and the wood grain on the ebony are both gorgeous.

The Monarch is quite large - the length of a Pelikan M800 or a Montblanc 146, but heftier. The girth comes close to a Montblanc 149. The pen does not post. The body features a black acrylic section that’s comfortable to write with - the threads are larger, not sharp, and sit higher up on the section so they don’t get in the way of your fingers. In terms of designing a larger wooden pen that’s a comfortable writer with high quality fit and finish, the company has succeeded. According to Sanay, all components are made in-house, and Syahi’s goal is to manufacture a high-quality Indian fountain pen made of wood that doesn’t feel like a “kit pen.”

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Nib and Writing Experience

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At the DC Pen Show, the Syahi “flex” and “semi-flex” nibs were the subject of much discussion. I chose to review what the company calls a “Fine Semiflex Steel” nib, which appears to be a Bock nib modified by extending the nib slit all the way to the base. This is a common technique used to add “flex” to steel-nib pens while keeping the price relatively low, and if done correctly, the technique is highly effective in adding line variation to your writing. The nib on my Syahi Monarch works quite well, and the nib remains smooth enough to use as a daily writer even when you’re not flexing. (Sometimes these modified steel flex nibs can feel scratchy.)

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Because the steel “semi-flex” nib remains relatively stiff, you can continue to use it for standard writing.

Even though it flexes well, this nib has its drawbacks. Extending the nib slit also exposes the feed to more air, leading to issues with ink evaporation and hard starts. If you’re going to use one of these steel flex nibs, you shouldn’t leave the pen sitting for more than a day or so. I’d also recommend using a low-maintenance, free flowing ink such as Waterman Blue (or, as shown here, a 50/50 mix of Waterman Blue and Violet (“Blurple”)).

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Syahi Monarch (center), compared against a Montblanc 146 (left) and a Platinum Plaisir (right).

Takeaways and Where to Buy

Wooden pens are difficult to do correctly, in the sense that they can easily turn out looking like inexpensive “kit pens” that you’d purchase from a hobby store. Syahi has plainly avoided this pitfall - nobody would confuse this with a $30 pen. From the choice of wood, to the brushed trim, to the experimentation with the nibs, the company is striving to deliver a high quality product.

Currently the easiest way to purchase a Syahi fountain pen is to order directly from the Company’s website, though based on what I learned at the D.C. Pen Show, you may start seeing these pens at retailers soon. The pen featured here - a Monarch in Striped Ebony with Brass Trim - looks like it’s unavailable at the moment, but there does appear to be a Monarch in Mexican Rose Wood with brushed brass, and if you don’t mind polished gold trim you can still purchase a striped ebony Monarch. Other models are available as well, with pricing starting at $159. If I hadn’t been able to find an ebony Monarch, I likely would have gone with the flat-top Imperator.

Many thanks to Syahi for making this review possible!

Disclaimer: I was provided with this pen free of charge, for review purposes.

A Modern Classic? Montblanc Heritage Collection 1912

The Montblanc Heritage 1912 falls squarely within the “niche pen” category that certainly won’t appeal to everyone, but offers a glimpse of what storied, experienced brands like Montblanc are capable of when they reach into their back catalog for inspiration. I’ve had mine for a couple years now, and while it was an expensive purchase that required me to liquidate a significant chunk of my pen collection to be able to buy it, I’ve enjoyed every minute of owning and using this pen.

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The Heritage 1912 is compact, which makes it a fun pen to carry for work, though you do have to mind where you set the cap because the pen doesn’t post.

This pen’s full name is the “Heritage Collection 1912 Fountain Pen,” which for simplicity’s sake I’ll refer to as the “Heritage 1912.” If you’re familiar with fountain pen history, and especially vintage Montblancs, you’ll notice the resemblance to the Simplo “Safety Filler” from the early 20th century. The key innovations of safety fillers like the Simplo included retractable nib mechanisms and a screw-on cap, both of which made early hard-rubber eyedropper pens less likely to leak. This pen, of course, is resin, not hard rubber, and it’s not a true “safety filler” eyedropper pen but rather a piston-filler that features a retractable nib.

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The Heritage 1912 with the nib extended, and…

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With the nib retracted.

The filling system on this pen is one of the more unique in my collection - it’s a piston filler where the piston knob has been modified to control both the filling system itself and the retractable nib mechanism. (Pictures and descriptions are included below.) Concerned that you might accidentally cap the pen with the nib extended? Worry not, because Montblanc designed a failsafe in the cap that keeps you from screwing the cap on in a manner that damages the nib. There’s a thin metal rod mounted in the end of the cap that blocks the cap from closing and bending the nib tines.

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In its standard position, the piston knob rotates to extend/retract the nib.

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Once the nib is extended, you pull out on the piston knob to engage the filling mechanism, which works like a regular piston filler. Once you fill the pen, you push the knob back in.

Don’t get me wrong, I own far more functional fountain pens than the Heritage 1912, which has its drawbacks as an everyday writer. For starters, the pen doesn’t post. Also, a smaller ink capacity limits your ability to use the Heritage 1912 with broader nibs: the pen holds less than 1 ml of ink, which I worked around by having Mike Masuyama grind my fine nib to a .4mm cursive italic. If you can overlook these two issues, however, the Heritage 1912 is a superb writer. The resin body has exceptional balance, with the filling system/mechanism lending this smaller pen some weight. The 14k, rhodium-plated nib has quite a bit of spring/bounce (NOT flex) to it, and I’d consider it one of the best Montblanc nibs I’ve ever used.

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The design element that drew me to this pen was how Montblanc treated the Snowcap. Montblanc describes its emblem as “encased in transparent resin and coated in mother-of-pearl lacquer.”

A size comparison shot of the Montblanc Heritage 1912 against my recently acquired - and sharp looking - Retro 51 “The System” pencil from Mike Dudek of the Clicky Post!

Takeaways and Where to Buy

I count myself an unabashed fan of Montblanc, especially when they branch out of their standard comfort zone of pens based on the Classique/146/149 templates and do something unique like the Heritage 1912. There’s nothing else like this pen in my collection, and if I ever had to narrow my pens to a handful, this one would easily make the cut. I would wholeheartedly recommend this pen to any Montblanc enthusiast or those who’d like to experience the feel of a vintage safety filler but want a pen that they can use everyday without worrying about damaging a valuable antique.  

The Heritage 1912 can be somewhat challenging to find, but it is part of Montblanc’s standard lineup and not a special or limited edition. Site sponsor Appelboom currently has the pen available for around $850 USD (depending on the exchange rate), which certainly isn’t inexpensive but also doesn’t approach Montblanc’s premium pricing on its Writer’s Editions and other limited offerings. (If you really want to blow it out, you could spring for the much larger Heritage 1914, which retails in the many thousands of dollars/euros. I’ve never seen one in person, and presume they were made in much smaller quantities.) Other Montblanc retailers who stock the Heritage 1912 include La Couronne du Compte and Fountain Pen Hospital.

Disclaimer: I purchased the pen featured in this review with my own funds, for my own collection. This post does contain affiliate links.

Platinum 3776 Revisited: My Thoughts 2+ Years Later

Now that this blog is more than four years old, I’ve come to a point where I can start revisiting pens I reviewed in the “early days,” such as the Platinum 3776 “Century”. I previously reviewed the standard models of the Platinum 3776 Century back in 2016, and my overall impressions from that review still hold true. Moreover, Platinum has dropped the U.S. price of the standard 3776 to a more competitive price point that hovers in the $150 range, depending on where you shop and the availability of store-specific discount codes.

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The Shungyo limited edition in my favorite color (red!) on the left, and the crystal clear Oshino demonstrator on the right.

Since that review, however, my personal collecting has focused more on the special and limited edition 3776 models, particularly the “Mt. Fuji” series of limited editions. I have two of these pens, pictured here: The “Shungyo” Limited Edition, which is part of the "Fuji Shunkei” (seasonal) series where the pens are inspired by seasonal views of Mt. Fuji; and the “Oshino” Limited Edition, named for the Oshino Hakkai spring under Mount Fuji. (You may have also seen pictures of the recent Kumpoo (“Balmy Breeze”) model, which I passed on because the color just isn’t my thing - not necessarily because of the somewhat cringe-inducing name.

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Unlike the standard Mt. Fuji special editions, the Fuji Shunkei editions have added texture on the body. While my Oshino demonstrator is completely smooth, the Shungyo pictured here features lightly etched lines, which I find relatively subtle. The texture on the recent Kumpoo limited edition is more pronounced.

So why do I enjoy this pen so much? Like other favorites such as the Parker Sonnet, the Pelikan M400/M600, and the Montblanc Meisterstuck Classique, the 3776 Century is a perfect size for me, especially when posted. It’s a touch larger than the Sonnet, but smaller than the Montblanc 146. And the fact that the Platinum 3776 features a cartridge-converter filling system means that it’s extremely lightweight. These pens are made to write, and perfect for long workdays.

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The Platinum 3776 is an ideal size and weight for me posted. I rarely use this pen unposted, but I’ve added a picture below to give a sense of the size.

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Note: Though not something I focus on, since I tend to use my pens pretty extensively and it would be nearly impossible for me to let a pen sit this long, all Platinum 3776 “Century” pens feature Platinum’s “Slip and Seal” cap, which supposedly prevents the ink from drying out in the nib for 24 months. (I say “supposedly” only because I’ve never tested it nor do I have any intention of doing so - I have no reason to believe that Platinum’s claim is inaccurate.)

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Oddly enough, the only problems I’ve experienced have been with the nibs - supposedly Platinum’s strong point. Both the UEF (“ultra extra fine”) nib on my Chartres Blue demonstrator and the fine nib on my Oshino wrote extremely dry out of the box, and needed to be adjusted. I’ve heard mixed reports from other people. Some nibs apparently write perfectly, others have the same issue that I did. I’m not sure whether it’s a quality control problem, or that my writing style might be incompatible with how Platinum’s standard fine nibs are tuned. On the other hand, the medium nib on my Shungyo wrote flawlessly out of the box.

Takeaways and Where to Buy

Though Platinum still receives less acclaim in the broader pen community than its “sibling brand” Nakaya, Platinum pens feature essentially the same nibs and offer a compelling value proposition on both their standard and “special edition” pens. They’ve also become more widely available in recent years, with most major pen retailers stocking Platinum and receiving an allocation of the latest limited and special editions. I purchased both pens pictured here from site sponsor Pen Chalet.

The Oshino demonstrator is still available, and currently on sale at a very attractive price. The Shungyo Pen, however, has been sold out for quite some time in regular retail channels, but they still come up occasionally on Amazon. They are starting to appear less frequently as several new models have come and gone since the Shungyo’s original release.

Disclaimer: This post contains links to paid sponsors and affiliates. I purchased both pens featured in this review using store credit from Pen Chalet that I earned through their affiliate program.

Thanks to Everyone Who Made It To Pelikan Hubs Nashville 2018!

Yesterday, at 6:30 p.m. in various locations around the world, Pelikan enthusiasts around the world met for the fifth year in a row to share their love for fountain pens, and the Pelikan brand in particular. The Nashville hub met at the excellent Stout’s Burgers & Beers in Brentwood, where we had the back room reserved and were joined by Lisa Vanness from Vanness Pens, who drove over from Little Rock for the event! Follow the hashtags #pelikanhubs and #pelikanhubs2018 on social media (including my Instagram @gentlemanstationer) for additional pics from the Nashville hub and other events around the world.

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All Pelikan Hubs attendees receive a bottle of the Pelikan Edelstein “Ink of the Year,” which this year is Olivine, a very nice dark green that I’m looking forward to using.

Don’t forget, as part of a special Pelikan Hubs weekend “bonus,” Vanness Pens is staying in the Nashville area for a meet-and-greet on Saturday from 1-4 p.m. at the Homewood Suites, 5107 Peter Taylor Park Drive, Brentwood, TN 37027. There’s a huge common area in the hotel and Vanness will have plenty of pens, inks, and paper to test, so if you’re in the Nashville area please stop by!

Finally, steps have been taken to formalize a Nashville-area pen club using Meetup.com. Sign up here to receive notifications of upcoming gatherings and events.